The View Point

Songezo Mabece spoke to Gideon Chitanga – Political Analyst and Expert on African Governance issues about what other African countries can learn from South Africa’s democracy

South Africa is 2 weeks away from the 6th General Election and when comparing elections seasons with our African counterparts, is there nothing that Africa can learn from us? Would we be pompous if we said – and if we agreed with the international sentiments – that we have the best run democracy on the continent? When looking at how our Military relates with government and civilians, and how the media has freedom to report honestly about any issue in the country – is it not fair to say that other countries can learn something from us in terms of governance?

An improvement, but transformation still trumps sustainability
Songezo Mabece spoke to Terence Corrigan - Project Manager at the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) – about the Mining Charter

We’re in conversation with the Institute of Race Relations about what they term “Government Interference in the mining sector” – The IRR released a report titled The September 2018 Mining Charter: An improvement, but transformation still trumps sustainability and it speak about how the mining industry can contribute more towards the GDP is things like BEE, transformation and development were not ‘imposed’ on mining companies. How, if at all, does advocating for transformation contribute towards the problems that the mining industry has?

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Dr Michael Gastrow - A research specialist in the Education and Skills Development research programme at the HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) AND Dr Sibongiseni Thotsejane – Co-Founder of FlavaLite Innovations, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at UCT and IT Lecturer at Walter Sisulu University about the 4th Industrial Revolution

Can you imagine a world where cyber-infrastructure integrates with the physical space, where robots can perform medical procedures, or assist with caring for the elderly? It may sound like the makings of a sci-fi movie, but in some industrial nations the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in daily life is already a reality.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The commission will assist government in taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the digital industrial revolution and they will identify relevant policies, strategies and action plans that will position South Africa as a competitive global player. Is South Africa ready for the 4th Industrial Revolution? What does the lay man understand about 4IR – do people need to fear for their jobs? Will machines replace the workforce? Are we heading to an era of less industrial action? And if we don’t embrace this, what impact will it have on us?

Songezo Mabece is in conversation with Mpho Mpogeng – President of the South African Emergency Personnel Union (SAEPU) AND Jolene Page – She is a paramedic, she has been working this weekend and she’s also part of the Community Medics Media team, talking about the plight of EMS workers

We’re wrapping up the Easter Weekend and in a couple of hours, reports will be handed in and the Easter Weekend Accident and Death toll stats will be added up. So we thought, let’s have a conversation with the ‘silent’ voice in all of this – THE PARAMEDICS.
Emergency healthcare workers attend to some of the most gruesome scenes and they’re the first point of call in an accident. But how often do we talk about their work environment (especially during such busy weekends) and the challenges that they face? Do we even pay attention when there are reports about paramedics being mugged or paramedics being urged to carry firearms?

Guests: Prof Digby Sqhelo Koyana – Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and author of a textbook titled: Customary Law in a Changing Society

Adv. James Pusch Commey – Author of 100 Great African Kings and Queens, Researcher and Advocate of the High Court of South Africa

Inkosikazi Nosandi Mhlauli - Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders

Zolani Mkiva – Secretary General of CONTRALESA

We continue our conversation on Traditional Leadership and the role of women in those structures.
Last week, we had a discussion that stems from the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling in favour of vhaVenda Princess vhoMasindi Mphephu to have her uncle, Toni Mphephu-Ramabulana, removed as the VhaVenda king. The tug-of-war that divided the VhaVenda nation had been going on for six years. Princess Masindi argued that Customary Law favours first-born male children thus violating her right to equality – a right which is guaranteed in the Section 9 of the Constitution. Her uncle, Mphephu-Ramabulana, is adamant that the Kingship is decided based on tradition and not gender.
We realised that different tribes have different rules and as a result, we thought it is best to have a full discussion on what the stance of various Traditional Houses/Clans is on this subject. Is there a place for women in traditional leadership structures? Where is that place?

In most cases, there are many things that lead to car accidents and we tend to miss them. What is it that investigators and accident construction professionals find at this time of the year? Is there something that we’re battling to understand about road crashes hence there are so many of them?
GUEST: Darrell Strydom - Accident Analyst and convener of the Magalies Drive Safe Campaign

LISTENERS’ OPINION
‘Only when we understand how sacrifice can be a force for good, have we any hope of restraining our destructive capabilities’ unknown
The Easter period begins with the fast for Lent which is a 40 day period where people fast to repent. As a part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, which is the Friday before Easter Sunday. What is your understanding of Easter and how does the notion of sacrifice apply to your life?

Guest : Ferrial Adam - Associate and Climate Activists at COPAC
COP25 will be held in Chile in December 2019 – world governments will sign agreements and promise to honour all sorts of policies that advance environmental sustainability. But how many of the previous agreements have been fully honoured? Ok, say we put politics aside and introspect on our individual consciousness of matters pertaining to global warming and environmental policies, is our fight for environmental justice rigid enough? Could this be the reason why the political parties, that we support and vote for, are not prioritising issues of global warming?
We’re in conversation with COPAC (the Co-operative and Policy Alternative Centre), they have written, what they call, the Climate Justice Critique of South African Political Parties.

Songezo Mabece spoke to Makwe Masilela - Chief Investment Officer at Makwe Fund Managers (Pty) Ltd. about the significant
number of rich and/or highly skilled people who are migrating to others countries.

Global wealth migration is accelerating ad South Africa is not immune to this. According to a report by New World Health, about 3 000 super-rich (those with wealth of about R14m or more) "migrated" from South Africa over the past 10 years. Most of them went to the UK, Australia and the US. Mauritius seems to be the only African country that was attracting ‘wealth migrants’.

Songezo Mabece spoke to Zwelinzima Nkwinti, a Sport lover and founder of Amazing Events, about the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge

EASTER in Kowie is set to be filled with boundless sports excitement as Amazing Events presents the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge to kick off at various water and beach locations from the 19th of April. Amanzi promotes adventure and water sports among